Today, I followed Jesus up a hill. It sounds lame, but it was a steep hill. Surrounded by giant mountains. We were going to a little home church in a neighborhood outside of Zomba, Malawi.
I didn’t really want to go.
It took 40 minutes to get there.
On foot.
I have been struggling with wanting the comforts of home. And not really wanting to be here in Africa.
I was burnt-out. I was tired. And unfortunately, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about another church service.
As I was walking up a hill, not wanting to be there. I kept remembering the song I used to sing.
“Where you go, I’ll go. Where you stay I’ll stay. When you move, I’ll move, I will follow you.”
I used to sing this song, promising God that I would follow him anywhere. To the ends of the earth, if that’s where he led me. And as I sit here in my bug net writing this, I realize he took me literally.
I felt God asking me if I would follow him still.
Even up this hill.
Even if I didn’t feel useful.
Even if I never saw the fruits of my labor.
Would I follow him?
Right, then and there I said yes.
Actually, I said, “alright, I’m following Jesus up a hill.”
But same thing.
The church service wasn’t any different.
Nothing had really changed.
But I was able to smile. To shake hands. To know that this was where God wanted me to be right now. And to be ok with that. Even if it wasn’t my favorite.
After church, we walked down that hill, instead of up. All the little kids we passed ran up to us and followed us for a while.
A little girl grabbed my hand, and walked with me, as I waved and talked with some others.
Then two little girls grabbed her hand. As if they could hold my hand through her.
Then a little boy grabbed one of their hands.
So, I had a string of precious little kids holding my hand, and smiling up at me. And several others walking behind us. Just walking with me. Not going anywhere exciting. They just wanted to walk with me. I felt so loved and fulfilled.
And that moment. That is my favorite moment on the race.
Because, Jesus was there too.
He was holding my hand, and smiling at me.
He was walking with me.
Just asking and waiting for me to step out of my comfort zone, and follow him.
I forget sometimes, that when Jesus asks us to follow him, that we aren’t following blindly. He is right there with us. Each and every step.
Matthew 4:19
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
